DNA can do a lot more than prove a direct descent. And DNA is not a
static issue. It advances seem to come in geometric rather than
arithmetic progression. What it couldn't do a few years ago, it can
now and what it can't now, in a few years will undoubtedly be viewed
as low level, etc. Given enough samples, it can determine kinship
groups. After all, 1997 was the first time it was used for
genealogical purposes so we're not exactly talking about an old
process here.
The more extensive the test, the more far-reaching the results. For
instance, I am working on a graveyard for which the family knew of 10
individuals buried there. We ended up with 20, of which 17 had
presumably testable material. DNA testing is underway to enable us to
determine the relationships of the burials to each other, from which
we will then probably be able to show which burial is which person.
And from that we can leap off 1 step into speculation about familial
relationships based upon proximity.
Lyle Browning
On Oct 20, 2008, at 5:31 PM, Anita Wills wrote:
> A DNA test can only prove a direct descent, along maternal (for
> females), and paternal lines (for males), although males can also be
> tested for Mitochondrial (female) DNA. The problem may be in finding
> a relative who is on that straight line. When I had my DNA test
> taken, it was through my straight maternal line. There are others in
> the family who have taken tests (my brother for paternal/maternal)
> to prove direct descendancy. I don't know if that is the issue, but
> if so one way to resolve it is to find a relative on that direct line.
>
> I saw a story many years ago about a lady who stated she was a
> direct descendant of James Madison.
>
> Anita
>
>> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:46:16 -0400
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: New Presidential Descendant Claimant
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Today's Richmond Times Dispatch had an article about a Massachusetts
>> pediatrician who claims via oral history to be descended from James
>> Madison's father and from James Madison. Difficulties in getting
>> genetic testing done and by whom, etc. are preventing forward motion
>> at the moment.
>>
>> The Washington Post's Jonathan Mummolo wrote the article and in it
>> was
>> a paragraph: "Despite genetic evidence that has linked Hemmings' line
>> to Jefferson's family, and documentary evidence that historians say
>> points to Jefferson as the father, there are still some who deny the
>> link."
>>
>> The first part about linking SH's line to Jefferson's family is true
>> via DNA. The second part about documentary evidence is highly
>> contested and cannot be ascertained with certainty. The third part
>> goes completely off the rails by tarring those who might deny that TJ
>> was the father.
>>
>> Of such things is disinformation promulgated. The first step is to
>> make a statement that is true. Then you warp it one degree as the
>> second part did, and then the third part is introduced as the new
>> "truth" and we're off to the Goebbels finals with a flourish.
>>
>> Let the fireworks begin.
>>
>> Lyle Browning
>>
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